White House to recognize Stamford science teacher as 'Champion of Change'

Staff Report

Published 3:00 am, Sunday, January 24, 2016

STAMFORD — The White House will recognize nine individuals from across the country, including a seventh-grade teacher from Stamford, as “White House Champions of Change for Computer Science Education.”

These individuals were selected by the White House for their leadership and innovation in expanding access to computer science education and for inspiring the next generation to use 21st century tools to better their communities. They recognize that providing access to computer science education is a critical step for ensuring that our Nation remains competitive in the global economy and strengthen its cybersecurity.

Stamford’s recipient is James (Jim) Forde, a seventh-grade science teacher at Cloonan Middle School. Forde was the Stamford Public Schools' Teacher of the Year and is an active STEM education advocate. He has served as the district's STEM Professional and is involved in developing STEM curricula, planning of a city wide STEM festival, providing STEM professional development, and promoting STEM education. Jim curates a popular STEM Education Twitter feed for STEM educators and organizations, @stemnetwork, with more than 3,000 followers from across the nation. He also sponsors the Computer Coding Club at Cloonan Middle School and a 3D printing club.

A year ago, President Obama became the first president to write a line of code, and in his State of the Union address, he issued a broad call to action to expand computer science across the nation’s K-12 classrooms. Thanks to the efforts of teachers, parents, state and local officials, educators, philanthropists and CEOs, there is a rapidly growing movement to give every child the opportunity to learn computer science.

The program will feature remarks by Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, Acting Secretary for the United States Department of Education John King, Chief Technology Officer of the United States Megan Smith, actress and director Gillian Jacobs, and co-founder and executive director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls Meredith Walker.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. The event will be live streamed on the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov/live/ on Tuesday, January 26, at 1:00 PM ET. To learn more about the White House Champions of Change program, visit whitehouse.gov/champions. Follow the conversation at #WHChamps.